Tube testing apparatus



July 7, 1931. H. E. WARNER TUBE TESTING APPARATUS Filed April 13. 1929- 2 Sheets-Shet 1 INVENTOR.

haro/d 6. Warner ATTORNEY. I

July 7, 1931.

H. 5' WARNER TUBE TESTING APPARATUS Filed April 15, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INV EN TOR.

firm/d 5. Warner A TTORNEY.

Patented July 7, 1931 UNITED STATES PATEN OFFI E j HAROLD E. WARNER, or wns'r SPRINGFIELD,jMASSAGHUSETTS, AssmnoB T0 iii-m FISK RUBBER COMPANY, or CHICOIEEE FALLS, mnssnonusnrmsn CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS TUBE 'rns'rme APPARATUS Application filed April 13, 1929.;Sria1 No. 354,729..

My invention relates to testing tanks for pneumatic tubes, more particularly to means for rotating the tubes when under water in the tanks.

In tanks of this character the drums or rolls that support the tubes hold the tubes tightly enough to seal any holes that may be in the tube at that portion adjacent the drum; as a result defects in the tubes atthese points will not be made apparent.

The object ofmy invention is to provide improved means for rotating the tubes to eliminate the chance of defective tubes passing through the tank without showing telltale bubbles.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate ,one embodiment of my invention,

Fig. 1 shows a plan view ofa'tube testing tankv made in accordance with my inven- V tially on line through the tion frame 12. The chains 10 are slowly drawn suitable source of power, such as a motor and reduction unit A..

Fastened between the chains 10 are spaced cross channels 14, each carrying two bearings 15. Hinged on the bearings and straddling the channels 14 are links 16 and 17 held togetherby-studs 18. The upper part of the studs carry rolls 19 having wide tube-retaining flanges20. The'links 17 below the channels 14 carry rollers 21 adapted to ride in ways formed by angle irons 22. These ways are at their extreme separation at the central at the ends ortion of the tank and converge of the tank. This converging will cause the rollers 21 associated with the same channel to come toward each other and likewise Fig. 2 is a detail view showing the rela-.

moves by. This movement is conveyed to 5 the tube sealed by tank 11, being guided by ways. made by angle irons 13-, and driven by anybringthe rolls 19 on theisame channel toward each other, thus making it easy to place over orremove'a tube 23 from them, as shown.

At the portion of the tank 11 intermediate the converging portion ofthe ways 22 the-55 "tubes 23 are slightly stretched. This stretching tends to draw the tubes 23 about the sup porting rolls 19 and thus seal any holes that may be in that portion of the tubes. To;- overcome this I fasten a plate, 24 with a series to of lugs 25 projecting therefrom tothe top flange 20 of the rolls. v ltotatable pins 26, adapted to'engagewith the lugs 25 as. the chains and the mechanism carried by the chains pass through the tank, are carried bybearings 27 held on straps 28 fixed to the tankll. With reference'to the detail Figs. 5 7 the action of the pins] 26 can be readilyseen. Each pin 26, which is 3; stationary in relation to the'rolls19 which move with the chains 10,ac ts as a stop for on of .the lugs 25, thereby giving its supporting roll a partial rotation'as the roll the tube about vthe'roll, moving the tube as indicated in the figures; The location ofa valve stem 29 and the change-in position of theftubefsegme'nt will illustrate how the tube hasgmov'ed, th s unsealing that portion of I the roll 19 during the initial movementof the tube through the water. 'A s sliown, a'rotatingdevice has beenlo- I cated on each. side of the tank, and, while this is preferable, it" is possible to secure satislactory results by placinga rotating device on one sideonly. For giving thetube23 a greater movemen I' have placed two rotatingpins on each side'of thetank, but one of these'may be omitted if the greater movement 7 is not desired.

Having thus. described my invention, 1 claim: I

1. In a device of the character described a pair of spaced rolls adapted to carry a tube between them, plates on the said rolls presenting projecting portions, and pins in the line of travel of the said rolls adapted toengage with the'projecting portions onthe rolls and rotate the rolls as the pins.

they are drawn p 2. A device for testing annular rubber tubes which comprises a tank adapted to hold a testing liquid, a conveyor provided with pairs of spaced rolls adapted to support the tubes to be tested and movable through the tank beneath the surface of the liquid, a plate secured to at least one of each pair of tube supporting rolls, a plurality of lugs projecting from the plate and a pin positioned in the path of said projections to engage the latter and thereby rotate the rolls and the tubes supported thereon.

3. In a device of the character described a pair of spaced rolls adapted to carry a tube between them during their travel through a water filled tank, a plate on the said rolls presenting projecting portions, and pins in the line of travel of the rolls adapted to engage with the projecting portions on the rolls to rotate the rolls as they travel past the pins.

4. In an apparatus of the character described a device for rotating tube supporting rolls comprising projections on each of said tube supporting rolls and a fixed pin adapted to engage the said projections and rotate the rolls as they are guided past the fixed pin.

5. In an apparatus of the character described, pivotally mounted tube supporting rolls, means for advancing said rolls, a series f l g n ea h of ai t be supporting roll and a fixed pin in the line of, vtravel of the rolls adapted to engage the said lugs and rotate the rolls as they are guided past the fixed 6. In an apparatus of the character described, pivotally mounted tube supporting rolls, means for advancing said rolls, a series of lugs on eachof said tube supporting rolls and a series of fixed pins in the line of travel of the rolls adapted to engage the said lugs and rotate the said rolls as they are guided past the fixed pins.

7. A device for testing annular rubber tubes which comprises a tank adapted to hold a testing liquid, a conveyor provided with pairs of spaced rolls adapted to support the tubes to be tested and movable through the tank beneath the surface of the liquid, projections on at least one of each pair of tube supporting rolls and a pin positioned in the path of'said projections to engage the latter and thereby rotate the rolls and the tubes supported thereon,

HAROLD E, W'ARNERM 

